Durkan claims ‘overdue expansion’ of Magee creating a ‘gold rush’ for HMOs in Derry
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00:00Is the Minister aware of a similar situation, I suppose, that exists in my own constituency where pressures have been created with the overdue and very welcome expansion of the University, which has created almost a kind of gold rush for HMOs, which is causing anxiety, putting pressure on neighbourhoods around the community, on planning and on housing supply?
00:25Can the Minister's Department work with Council to alleviate problems and delay concerns?
00:30I thank the member for his question, and I suppose just to recognise the significance of that announcement in relation to Magee University.
00:41It is something that will hopefully be huge for the North West in relation to how we alleviate the issues.
00:48Like in many other cases, I think it is important that, not just through the planning process, but also in our work with NI Water and any other barriers that may be holding back potential for new housing and delivery around HMOs, I think it is important that we do work collaboratively and collectively to ensure the best outcome for everybody.
01:08Thank you, Minister.
01:09Thank you, Minister, for that response.
01:15It is my understanding that the publication of the plan strategy as part of the LDP is imminent.
01:21Work will then begin on a local policies plan, which will look at thresholds or limits on the number of HMOs in specific areas or streets.
01:30But can the Minister assure us that the intervening period will not create a no man's land or a no plans land that can be exploited by developers at the expense of local neighbourhoods?
01:42Well, I think for any piece of work like that, it is important that we get it right and that we do not leave gaps that can maybe potentially be exploited, but that the benefits are seen for the people that they are actually directed to.
01:56So I think we have to look at all those potentials as part of that process.
02:01I would be, I suppose, concerned about expediting any process, but at the same time taking the right amount of time to ensure that it is done properly.
02:10I welcome any input or any contributions from the member or others in the area with any of those concerns so that they could be addressed early on in that process.